By: McDonald Ofori Yiadom

The 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games happening in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 7 to November 21, 2025 has been nothing but promising. This sixth edition of the games features around 3,000 athletes from 57 Islamic nations competing in 23 sports, including two para-sports.

The games aim to strengthen Islamic camaraderie, promote Islamic identity, and reduce discrimination toward Muslims. The games are being live-streamed on DAZN, ANOC TV, and GBC, showcasing sporting excellence and peaceful competition.

Notable medalists so far include Rebecca Chelangat from Uganda, who won gold in the women’s 10,000 meters, and Haitam Zarhouti from Morocco, who won Morocco’s first-ever ISG medal in Taekwondo.

Türkiye is currently dominating the medal table with 61 gold, 35 silver, and 26 bronze medals, followed by Uzbekistan and Iran. The games feature athletes from 57 member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation competing across 21 sports and two para-sports.

The games are themed “One Nation,” with a mascot named Finjaal, symbolizing hospitality is proof off how welcoming and aims to clear the misconceptions about some nations. The 2025 edition marks a symbolic return to Saudi Arabia, which staged the inaugural Islamic Solidarity Games in 2005.